The Associated Press is reporting that Mike Piazza has decided to retire from baseball.
Piazza had a 19-year career and became one of the greatest hitting catchers of all time.
“After discussing my options with my wife, family and agent, I felt it is time to start a new chapter in my life,” he said in a statement released by his agent, Dan Lozano. “It has been an amazing journey.”
Piazza was drafted by the Dodgers on the 62nd round of the 1988 amateur draft. He was a 12-time All-Star, making the NL team 10 consecutive times starting in 1993.
He finished with a .308 career average, 427 home runs and 1,335 RBIs for the Dodgers (1992-98), Florida (1998), New York Mets (1998-05), San Diego (2006) and Oakland (2007).
One of the greatest Mets moments of all time will be when Mike hit his home run on the first game back from 9/11.
Mike’s last appearance at Shea came as a Padre, when he smacked two homers and was received as a conquering hero.
Adam Rubin provides Piazza’s statement at the New York Daily News.
Keith Hernandez is my favorite Met of all time but Mike is a close second and I was sad to see him go. I wish Mike the best in his new life as a civilian and hope he one day becomes part of the Mets organization as a coach or in the front office.
Considering Mike’s interests he could wind up being Eddie Trunk’s sidekick on his Heavy Metal radio show, or become the new drummer for a reformed Skid Row.
Good luck Mike and thanks for the memories.
